How do you make time for self-care?
I answered this prompt with a little bit of rue and regret. I’ve always made time for self-care. But I have not done a good job defining what is effective self-care.
Self-care for me, has always been feeling good at the end of the day. Did I get my run in? Did I do the yoga but that’s not really what’ self-care is really about. Or maybe it is.
Yes, I have regrets.about making time for self-care. The years when you are a parent, self-care is difficult.
But I always made the time. I had to be creative, but I feel guilty a little bit because it is somewhat self-centered. Then again I had partners who helped on this endeavor.
But what is self-care if you end up having a heart attack at a young age just because of bad genetics.
The question is what is effective self-care is worth further examination. What truly feeds your soul. Or is self-care, living a long and productive life.
My time constraints are less these days. I still feel like I have not mastered the art of self-care. In retirement the days still fill faster than we think.
Comfort vs. Growth: Sometimes self-care means resting (comfort). Other times, it means doing the hard thing that your future self will thank you for, like paying a bill, exercising, or having a difficult conversation (growth).
I have a hard time writing on the subject as I’m not a big fan of unsolicited advice. And that is not my objective here.
Self-care has always been a priority in my life.
Or maybe it hasn’t been.
Maybe all these attempts at self-care are crutches that are too easily accessible. Per usual, I write off the top of my head and don’t outline so it may appear like I’m bouncing all over the place. I’m OK with that.
I believe one of the pillars of self-care is getting out of your comfort zone. It feels slippery and dangerous but once you do, there’s a halo effect that stays with you for a while.
The Irony
I struggled with this and it is a ramble all over the place. Usually, I’m out the door and running by now. But today seems like a perfect fall day and I think I’ll get out and enjoy the run well enough. But it’ll be nice to just watch the changes. The Earth has taken the last three weeks.
The rains are moving in here in the Pacific Northwest. I usually struggle through August and September but they’ve been cooler than most. I know many people struggle with the rain and the darkness in the Pacific Northwest in the winter.
Recognizing we are not, the center of the universe is self-care.
I would love to hear you opinion as well